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Environmental Board <br />March 1, 2023 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />DRAFT MINUTES <br /> <br />Chair Sullivan shared a study done by the University of Minnesota which found that <br />mowing your lawn is essential for different species of plants to flourish. <br /> <br />6. OPEN MIKE <br /> <br />Chair Sullivan declared open mike at 6:37 p.m. <br /> <br />There was no one present for open mike, therefore it was closed at 6:37 p.m. <br /> <br />7. ACTION ITEMS <br /> <br />A. 2023 Annual Work Plan and Ongoing Tasks List <br /> <br />Mr. Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented the staff report. <br /> <br />Each year, the Environmental Board prepares an Annual Work Plan that will be presented <br />to the City Council for approval. This plan includes a list of initiatives concerning current <br />environmental issues in the major areas of focus of the Environmental Board that are time <br />sensitive, including forestry, natural resources, water, and solid waste management. <br /> <br />Staff also prepared a list of the Ongoing Tasks to highlight projects that Staff works on <br />day-to-day. The discussion at the meeting will introduce new Environmental Board <br />members to these plans and provide updates on work in progress to the Board. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson started with presenting each item on the Ongoing Task list. <br /> <br />The Board suggested adjustments to the Ongoing Tasks list as follows: <br /> <br />• Add Buckthorn management to the heron rookery on Peltier Island. <br />• Elaborate and provide examples to the general ongoing task item about what kind <br />of projects the Board is involved with. <br />• Include actual goals to achieve regarding water conservation. For example, Staff <br />could tie in some numbers to the Irrigation program. <br />• Include a mission statement to the general task item. <br /> <br />Ms. Nelson asked if the City uses goats to manage buckthorn. <br /> <br />Mr. Nelson responded that the City cuts and stump treats buckthorn in select management <br />areas. He added that the City has to be selective with what areas they manage buckthorn <br />due to limited resources. <br /> <br />Mr. Schwartz asked if there is anyway the City can partner up with schools to gather <br />volunteers to help with managing buckthorn.